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I am a singer, storyteller and writer.

‘Matthew Crampton has a great voice that entices and explains. He pulls in the audience like a magical toyshop owner. He has some joy and sorrow that he cannot keep to himself.’ Folk Phenomena

‘A compelling storyteller. 5 stars.’ The Guardian

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Fun stuff

Oh dear. 2024 sees more gigs for The Folk Detectives – my new comedy duo with legend Paul Hutchinson.

I perform comic songs and monologues at folkclubs, theatres and for seniors. My new show Have a Banana! is a silly, thoughtful look at the power of singalong. 

Isolation led to some, erm, Lockdown Larks. Here’s the bass yodel. Here’s the music hall rap. And here’s some Les Dawson.

Look out for Strawberry Joe. Stories about a flying elephant who lives in my garden.

Serious stuff

I tell stories to old, and young, at festivals, schools, ancient roundhouses, and other stages. Olga and Matthew, my musical storytelling partnership with pianist Olga Jegunova, recently released our version of The Little Prince on Prima Classic.

My co-adaptation of Peter Bellamy’s ballad opera The Transports toured in 2018 and 2017; it was the evening concert on BBC Radio 3 – and there’s an album too! Other high profile shows include Human Cargo, which toured nationally, and Living by the Sea.

Robb Johnson’s album Ordinary Giants features me singing four songs as his Uncle Ernie.

Human Cargo: songs & stories of emigration, slavery & transportation is my third book, following The Trebor Story and Tales from the Angler’s Retreat.

My publishing company Muddler Books recently reprinted Animal Farm and a wonderful Victorian biography called Seventy Years a Showman.

Watch and listen